Clarksville, TN – In over forty years of journalism, I have had the opportunity to meet and interview hundreds of celebrities, politicians, and everyday people. I’ve covered some of the most tragic and triumphant events that have occurred in our community, but never have I been so blessed and inspired as I have been with the story of Suzanne Simpson.

Suzanne Simpson is a heart transplant recipient.

I’ve known “Suzie” since we were both at Austin Peay State University in the early seventies. She was just out of Clarksville High School, and I was fresh in town from Military Academy.

As our families grew, we would see each other at various events involving our children, maybe pass each other at church or something.

Then a couple of years ago, she was added to our prayer list. Suzanne was having heart problems, and was being put on a transplant list. We needed to pray for her.

“Uh oh” I thought.

We continued to pray for Suzanne and then the news came that she had received a new heart and was recovering.

“Wow, God is good,” we said.

Then lo and behold, one day she and David walked into Sunday School class, and the collective “gasp” of the people present could be heard a mile away. I looked at my wife and asked, “is that?

“Yes” was her reply.

Wow! What a miracle!

Over the course of several weeks, I would talk to the two of them at church, and throughout the conversation, David would tell me, “you have no idea what we’ve been through.”

Well, I wanted to know what they had been through, and I wanted to tell this amazing story, in hopes it would give encouragement to others. To let people know that there is hope for you and to never give up.

God is in control, and he has a plan and he will take care of you.

That’s his promise.

The story of Suzanne Simpson is an incredible journey of faith, hope, and the miracles of modern medicine. How one woman and her family lived each day knowing that Suzanne could drop dead at any moment.

It was that bad.

How one family was pushed to the brink of financial disaster, and then, after two years of waiting for a donor, a massive snowstorm almost prevented the operation Suzanne so desperately needed.

This has been an overwhelming emotional experience for me personally. I have never been so inspired by anyone in my life as I have by Suzanne Simpson. Talking to her friends and family has been an incredible blessing for me.

“Our little miracle” as one friend describes her.

Suzanne and David agreed to let me tell their story, and believe me, David did not want to do this, with the understanding that whoever would read this, would understand that Suzanne and David praise God for her life. They want others to know that God is in control now and forevermore, and he is the reason that Suzanne is alive today.

“My faith is what sustains me, Suzanne told me. God said it would be ok, and he would see me through this.”

So, beginning tomorrow, Clarksville Online will tell the amazing story of Suzanne Simpson and how this perfectly healthy woman was suddenly incredibly sick and near death, and how for her to live, someone, a total stranger, would have to die.

About Hank Bonecutter

Hank Bonecutter is a forty year broadcast veteran and former radio station owner. His career included, talk-show host, journalist, writer, and producer. He is president of Bonehead Promotions, an advertising consulting and media firm. He is the owner of www.clarksvillesportsnetwork.com and www.nashvillesportsnetwork.com, and is a contributing author/journalist for Clarksville Online.

Hank worked at several Nashville radio stations, including WKDF, WLAC, WKQB and WKDA.